Atlas Rehabilitation for Canines is Santa Barbara's only free standing, full service animal rehabilitation facility led by certified professionals. In June of 2017, Karen Atlas, MPT, PT, CCRT, teamed up with Dr. Bill Otto, DVM, to open ARC and offer physical rehabilitation services to pets. ARC is fully equipped with the latest underwater treadmill, cold laser therapy (class 3b), therapeutic ultrasound, Alpha-Stimulation (CES and MET), pulsed electromagnetic field (PEMF), electrical stimulation (NMES and TENS), as well as innovative land based exercise equipment.

Therapeutic Ultrasound

Therapeutic ultrasound is a common tool used in human physical therapy clinics to create a deep heat within tissues, increase the rate of healing, decrease pain, and decrease inflammation (when used in a pulsed mode). Therapeutic ultrasound is not to be confused with diagnostic ultrasound. While both utilize sound waves, therapeutic ultrasound emits adifferent wavelength of sound compared to diagnostic ultrasound and does not produce any images of the inside of the body.

Therapeutic ultrasound works by two mechanisms: thermal effects and non-thermal effects.

Thermal Effects: Therapeutic ultrasound creates a deep heat within tissues. This is highly effective for improving the flexibility of tissues and is often used to treat muscle spasms and contractures. Ultrasound is also very effective for preparing tissues prior to manual therapy techniques. These thermal effects occur deep within the tissues and typically the patient experiences a comfortable warming sensation.

Non-Thermal Effects: Therapeutic ultrasound also works by a process referred to as “cavitation”. Cavitation is the creation of microscopic gas bubbles that are rapidly expanding and contracting within tissues. Cavitation is effective for speeding cellular processes, facilitating healing, and increasing blood flow.

Conditions that therapeutic ultrasound has been shown to be effective in treating: